Which senses do drones primarily use to locate queens for mating?

Drones primarily rely on receptors on their antennae and their sense of smell to locate queens for mating. The antennae are equipped with specialized sensory receptors that allow drones to detect pheromones — chemical signals released by the queen. During mating, queens emit a particular pheromone to attract drones from a distance. This pheromone is essential in guiding the drones to locate the queen, even from several miles away.

While vision and sound may play a role in various behaviors of bees, they are not the primary senses utilized in the context of locating a queen. Tactile and taste receptors do not directly contribute to the searching process either. Similarly, focus and hearing are not significant factors in the mating behavior of drones. Hence, receptors on their antennae paired with their keen ability to smell make up the primary means through which drones effectively locate queens for mating.